Skip it! Five Fitness Moves to Try with a Jump Rope

This isn't your average game of Double Dutch.

Were you a jump rope junkie back in the day? Well, that fun toy can actually be an intense fitness tool if you know how to use itand once you hone your skipping skills, it'll be just as fun as it was in the school yard. Adrian McLean, assistant fitness manager at Crunch, has developed five jump rope-centric moves, from simple hops to seriously fancy footwork.

"Before you start, make sure you're equipped with the appropriate rope for your height," says McLean. "Let the rope hang from your armpit to the ground. If it touches the ground, you've got the right size. And be sure to perform all of these moves on the balls of your toes to avoid double-hopping!" Start with four to six minutes per move and work your way up to 10 to 15 minutes if you're a total pro. Ready with your rope? Let's go!

The Move: Basic Two-Foot Jump
How It's Done: "This is the most common jump rope technique, making it the best for a beginner. Jump only once for every swing of the rope."

The Move: Single Leg Jump
How It's Done: "This is just what it sounds like. Hop on one leg for every rope swing."

The Move: Alternating Feet
How It's Done: "This move will have you hopping on different legs. Make sure the rope passes over your head before switching feet, and avoid kicking backwards when making the leg swap."

The Move: In-and-Out Jump
How It's Done: "Start jumping with both feet together, but after the rope passes over your head, quickly widen the distance between your feet. As you continue, alternate between jumping with your feet together and further apart, switching after every swing of the rope."

The Move: Running in Place
How It's Done: "Jump in a single spot and lift your knees high with every rope turn. You'll want to start at a moderate pace and work up to a speed that's fast enough to challenge you but will also allow you to maintain a good posture."